Monday, June 6, 2011

As summer has finally arrived, I'm sure that our family isn't the only one that is eager to get outside and enjoy the sunshine. After having spent so many months indoors or bundled up in boots and mittens, being able to slip on some sandals (or go barefoot) and head out for some fun is high on our list these days.

But after a while just relaxing on a lawn chair or throwing a ball or frisbee around is guaranteed to lose a little interest, so it's best to plan ahead for ways that everyone, from young to old, can be entertained for months on end. Fortunately, the name synonymous with family fun, Sportcraft, can have us all laughing and playing together all summer long.

On a mission to provide games that bring people together, Sportcraft is all about having fun and has the huge selection to do just that. As the leader in the home recreation industry, their quality products at affordable prices span just about every indoor or outdoor game that families enjoy.

With indoor games such as pool tables, ping pong tables, air hockey tables, dartboards, and more and outdoor games including horseshoes, volleyball, bocce ball, bean bag toss, and every entertaining tailgate game around, you're sure to find something to suit every taste.

Having played ladderball at various friends' and family members' houses over the years, this has always been a game that I knew we would enjoy being able to pull out in our own yard and Sportcraft's Foldable Ladderball is the perfect way to do just that.

Combining the fun of the game with the quick storage and portability of the design, Foldable Ladderball is ideal for any barbecue, picnic, beach or tailgate party. Considering that the game itself is pretty straightforward (throw your balls so that they hook on the poles), I was interested to see just how Sportcraft had taken the simple structure and made it even more convenient.

Laying out all of the pieces, I turned to the instructions to get started putting this game together and found...

Uh oh. Bean Bag Toss? How'd that get in there?

Knowing full well that Sportcraft has all of the instruction manuals available online (I love when companies do that), I wasn't worried. However, before turning to the computer for help, I took another look at the pieces and then at the box that they came in, and realized I didn't actually need any diagrams or words to tell me how to do this.

In fact in just a few short minutes I easily had popped the PVC pipes together and had installed the base for each stand. It really couldn't have been easier!

Measuring 45 x 22 x 36", each ladder is extremely lightweight and the wide base ensures that they aren't going to tip over during the game, even when hit with the bolos.

Sportcraft gives an excellent run-down of ladderball rules and how to score the game right on their website, but when we're practicing around here we're a little less strict. Maybe we shouldn't be, however, because even though my competition isn't as tall as the actual ladders, she is still quite good!

I mean, really. Look at the form! And the release above her head! That's got to be a pretty high level of natural talent, no?

Keeping track of just how many points Little Sister B is beating me by is easy with this game due to the on-ladder scoring system right on the top two rungs. I haven't seen this feature before on ladderball sets and I really like it! Instead of the, "Okay, now we have seven... you guys have five, right? Or did you have six and we have eight?" that usually happens, you can easily keep track while you're playing.

When it comes time for the barbecue or tailgate to end, folding this ladderball game up for storage and transport to your next event is a snap. Simply collapse down the three rungs and let the base/carrying case close up on the outside...

...and then secure the sides with a single latch.

That's all there is to it! Both ladders are so light that anyone can grab the handles and carry them away.

The next time you're ready to play, whether at home in the yard or on a picnic with friends, it takes all of a few seconds to unfold the ladders and be ready to begin. Sportcraft really has found a way to take a favorite summer game and make it more portable, convenient, and fun!

Retailing for $39.99, you can receive 25% off on Foldable Ladderball and all of your purchases at Sportcraft when you enter the coupon code SUMMERGAMES at checkout. Entertaining games for the entire family for indoors or outdoors at a discount? Now that's a great deal!

Thanks to Sportcraft's generosity, one person will also be able to experience some fun and entertainment out in the sunshine, because...

To enter to win: Visit Sportcraft and tell me which of their fun games (other than the ones listed above) you would like for you or your family this summer.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry if you head over to A Mom's Balancing Act and enter to win your choice of four fun outdoor games from Sportcraft over there as well!1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow Sportcraft on Twitter and/or Like them on Facebook.1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the Fun in the Sun giveaways (Fun in the Sun giveaways ONLY) running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email or become a fan on Facebook.3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.3 Extra Entries if you have our Fun in the Sun button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.Giveaway will end on July 1st at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only.

A big thank you to Sportcraft for providing a Foldable Ladderball game for me to review as well as the choice of four outdoor games for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Actually there are 2 games I'd love that they have. One is the indoor basketball set & the other is the full dart board set. Wow my game room would rock with those. barb g. directorylanesuperstore(at)gmail.com